Hey there, happy Friday!  This week flew by for me, and I am very pleased to announce that I think I locked down my first really “BIG” account at my new job!  I am more than a little excited, as I’ve been working on this account since I basically started.  But it definitely makes me even more excited for what’s to come, and the “no”‘s feel a lot less painful.

So let’s get to this weeks AFTF, shall we?  You may want to bring along a map, because this one’s all over the place.

1. I had a meeting a few weeks ago, and long story short, I ended up in a long discussion with a woman who turned out to be a nutritional counselor.  We got to talking about food and diet, and she started raving to me about Paleo.  I’ve been admittedly a little skeptical about this semi-new Paleo craze.  (No grains?  NO CHEESE?)  But after hearing her out, and later talking with my brother (who also specializes in supplements and other fitness-related items), I couldn’t help but feel intrigued by it.  It’s not like I’m gluten-intolerant, and trust me, I’m a big- no HUGE, fan of carbs.    But in an effort to try and break  few bad habits and be open-minded, I’ve decided to give it a whirl.  I’m not sticking to the diet full-force, but I’ve decided that, at least during the week, I’m going to cut out grains. I feel like I rely way too heavily on them as a part of my weekly meals, and I can say with 100% certainty, that I don’t feel all that great after I consume them.  I usually end up feeling tired, bloated and lethargic (same as tired?), and I have a really hard time when it comes to portion control.  So for all these reasons, I’m cutting them off.  As a disclaimer: Weekends are up for grabs because, well, I do what I want.   I’m also cutting way back on sugar and diary (I need cheese in my salads or I literally might cut someone).  I will let you know if I experience anything ground-breaking, but so far I can already say I’ve cut waaaaaaay back on evening snacking, and do feel a lot “lighter”.  I’ve also taken up running again, which has left me feeling sore in all the wrong right places, but I feel like I have more endurance that I’ve ever had before. Speaking of, I’m dangerously close to committing to a Turkey Trot, but we’ll see if I actually get the balls to commit.

Now let’s take a complete 180…

2.  Have you guys tried the Revlon Just Bitten ”kissable” lip stains that I mentioned back in the summer?

WHY NOT???

Seriously though, these things are the bomb-sha-bang.  They’re minty and refreshing while providing a nice rich color to your lips that lasts quite a long time. I’ve already got three of them, but this week I picked up a new one that I am declaring my favorite lip product of 2012.  It’s the perfect color, not too dark, not too bright, and I’ve worn it the last 5 days, falling more in love with it each and every time.

It’s called “Honey” and it. is. everything.  I highly recommend it if you’re not quite a lipstick person, but would like something with just enough color to feel a little fancy.  Trust me on this one, I never lie when it comes to lip products.  I’m like the George Washington of cosmetics.

3.  So how ’bout the election?  Just kidding, I’m so not going there.

4.  Oh yeah, remember my social experiment for October?  So I guess an update would be in order…  Basically, I realized that not a whole lot of instances to be “blunt” come up in a just a month’s time.  I did have a few chances to say what what on my mind, and I’d say about 90% of the time I followed through.  I learned that the world won’t end if I just tell the truth, and I also realized that people don’t care as much about what I think as I assume they do.  As ridiculous as it sounds, a lot of times I thought to myself, “What would Larry David do?”

Am I right?

Anyways, my goal is to carry it on throughout the next few months/year and see how it goes.  I definitely think that there are always going to be people in your life that will walk all over you if you let them, and by listening to what’s really in your heart and speaking your mind, you’ll save yourself and everyone else a lot of time.  I’m preparing myself to be a stronger person, and resist the urge to try and make everyone “be okay.”  I think as  a middle child, and the only girl, I’ve always tried to create harmony in each and every situation I’ve been in.   And while it comes from a good place, it causes me to lose a little bit of myself.  ”Yessing” people to death isn’t exactly the best plan of attack, and honestly?  Life is just too short.  I’m actually kind of excited to keep this new mindset up for the foreseeable future, and hope I can stick with it.  With 30 just around the corner, I guess I’m feeling a little more selfish, and I think that’s ok.

Thanks for sticking with this jumbled rant of this week’s thoughts.  That’s it for me, enjoy your weekends!

xoxo J